Item - 2014.PG34.8

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council amend Chapter 694, Signs, General, to permit the sign, and impose area restrictions on the display of third party signs as set out as Application #1 in the June 3, 2014 staff report from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, as follows:

a.         by amending § 694-24A to add the following as site-specific area restrictions on the display or erection of a third party sign:

i.          The portions of the Kingston Subdivision located within 100 metres of the each of the following locations therein where a third party ground sign is currently erected or displayed: near Greenwood Avenue and north of Walpole Avenue, near Dundas Street East and west of Logan Avenue, near Queen Street East and west of McGee Street, near Eastern Avenue and south of Broadview Avenue, near Dundas Street East and west of Tiverton Avenue, near Eastern Avenue and west of Dibble Street, near Gerrard Street East and east of Carlaw Avenue, and near Victoria Park Avenue and north of Gerrard Street East, and near Greenwood Avenue and north of Ivy Avenue;

ii.         The portions of the Weston Subdivision located within 100 metres of the each of the following locations therein where a third party ground sign is currently erected or displayed: near Lawrence Avenue West and east of Weston Road; and,

iii.        The portions of the Newmarket Subdivision located within 100 metres of the each of the following locations therein where a third party ground sign is currently erected or displayed: near Sheppard Avenue West and east of Keele Street.

b.         by amending Schedule B, Signage Master Plans and Area Specific Amendments, to Chapter 694 by adding an Area Specific Amendment substantially in accordance with the following:

Weston Subdivision - Notwithstanding § 694-22A and D, § 694-24A and § 694-25C, the portion of Weston Subdivision, immediately to the south of Highway 401, and approximately 200 metres east of the interchange of Highways 401 and 409, as set out in heavy lines in Diagram #1, submitted by Councillor Milczyn, may contain a single sign as follows:

1.         One third party ground sign containing two sign faces, facing easterly and westerly, each displaying electronic static copy, provided:

a.         Each of the two sign faces shall provide that a minimum of five percent of the daily sign copy displayed shall be non-commercial messaging;

b.         The sign shall not contain a sign face with a horizontal measurement which exceeds 14.63 metres;

c.         The sign shall not contain a sign face with a vertical measurement which exceeds 4.27 metres;

d.         The sign face area shall not exceed 63 square metres;

e.         The sign contains two sign faces;

f.          The two sign faces shall be separated by an interior angle not greater than 45 degrees;

g.         The height of the sign shall not exceed 20.0 metres;

h.         The sign shall not be erected within 2.0 metres of the property line;

i.          The sign shall not be erected within 6.0 metres of the intersection of two street lines;

j.          The sign shall not be erected within 30.0 metres of any premises located, in whole or in part, in an R, RA, or OS sign district;

k.         The sign shall not be erected until the following third party ground signs are removed and all associated permits revoked: the signs located within the Kingston Subdivision near: Greenwood Avenue and Walpole Avenue; Dundas Street East and Logan Avenue; Queen Street East and McGee Street; Eastern Avenue and Broadview Avenue; Dundas Street East and Tiverton Avenue; Eastern Avenue and Dibble Street; Gerrard Street East and Carlaw Avenue; Victoria Park Avenue and Gerrard Street East; and near Greenwood Avenue and north of Ivy Avenue; the sign located within the Weston Subdivision near Lawrence Avenue West and Weston Road; and, the sign located within the Newmarket Subdivision near Sheppard Avenue West and Keele Street;

l.          The sign shall replace all third party signs currently erected or displayed on the portion of the premises set out in heavy lines in Diagram #1 submitted by Councillor Milczyn;

m.        The sign shall be appropriately located and oriented substantially in accordance with the location, position and placement described in the diagram submitted by Councillor Milczyn; and

n.         The sign shall otherwise comply in all respects with the provisions of this chapter.

2.         City Council amend Chapter 694, Signs, General, to permit the sign, and impose area restrictions on the display of third party signs as set out as Application #2 in the June 3, 2014 staff report from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, as follows:

a.         by amending § 694-24A to add the following as site-specific area restrictions on the display or erection of a third party sign:

i.          The portions of the Weston Subdivision located within 100 metres of the each of the following locations therein where a third party ground sign is currently erected or displayed: near Martin Grove Road and south of Bethridge Road, and near King Street West and east of Atlantic Avenue; and

ii.         The portions of the Oakville Subdivision located within 100 metres of the each of the following locations therein where a third party ground sign is currently erected or displayed: near Royal York Road and north of Cavell Avenue, and near Royal York Road and south of Judson Street.

b.         by amending Schedule B, Signage Master Plans and Area Specific Amendments, to Chapter 694 by adding an Area Specific Amendment substantially in accordance with the following:

Weston Subdivision - Notwithstanding § 694-22A and D, § 694-24A and § 694-25C, the portion of Weston Subdivision, immediately to the east of  Highway 427, and approximately 1500 metres south of Rexdale Boulevard and approximately. 900 metres south of the interchange of Highway 427 and Highway 409, as set out in heavy lines in Diagram #2 submitted by Councillor Milczyn, may contain a single sign as follows:

1.         One third party ground sign containing two sign faces, facing easterly and westerly, each displaying electronic static copy, provided:

a.         Each of the two sign faces shall provide that a minimum of five percent of the daily sign copy displayed shall be non-commercial messaging;

b.         The sign shall not contain a sign face with a horizontal measurement which exceeds 14.63 metres;

c.         The sign shall not contain a sign face with a vertical measurement which exceeds 4.27 metres;

d.         The sign face area shall not exceed 63.0 square metres;

e.         The sign contains two sign faces;

f.          The two sign faces shall be separated by an interior angle not greater than 45 degrees;

g.         The height of the sign shall not exceed 20.0 metres;

h.         The sign shall not be erected within 2.0 metres of the property line;

i.          The sign shall not be erected within 6.0 metres of the intersection of two street lines;

j.          The sign shall not be erected within 30.0 metres of any premises located, in whole or in part, in an R, RA, or OS sign district;

k.         The sign shall not be erected until the following third party ground signs are removed and all associated permits revoked: the signs located within the Weston Subdivision near: Martin Grove Road and Bethridge Road; and, King Street West and Atlantic Avenue; and, within the Oakvillle Subdivision near: Royal York Road and Cavell Avenue; and, Royal York Road and Judson Street;

l.          The sign shall replace all third party signs currently erected or displayed on the portion of the premises set out in heavy lines in Diagram #2 submitted by Councillor Milczyn;

m.        The sign shall be appropriately located and oriented substantially in accordance with the location, position and placement described in Diagram #2 submitted by Councillor Milczyn; and

n.         The sign shall otherwise comply in all respects with the provisions of this chapter.

3.         City Council amend Chapter 694, Signs, General, to permit the sign, and impose area restrictions on the display of third party signs as set out as Application #3 in the June 3, 2014 staff report from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, as follows:

a.         by amending § 694-24A to add the following as site-specific area restrictions on the display or erection of a third party sign:

i.          The portions of the Newmarket Subdivision located within 100 metres of the each of the following locations therein where a third party ground sign is currently erected or displayed: near Highway 401 and east of Keele Street, near Wilson Avenue and west of Murray Road, near Lawrence Avenue West and west of Caledonia Road, near Castlefield Avenue and west of Caledonia Road, near Rogers Road and west of Caledonia Road, near St. Clair avenue West and west of Caledonia Road, near Davenport Road and west of Caledonia Park Road, near Bloor Street West and west of St. Helens Avenue, near Finch Avenue West and west of Chesswood Drive, and near Wilson Avenue and west of Murray Road.

b.         by amending Schedule B, Signage Master Plans and Area Specific Amendments, to Chapter 694 by adding an Area Specific Amendment substantially in accordance with the following:

Newmarket Subdivision - Notwithstanding § 694-22A and D, § 694-24A and § 694-25C, the portion of Newmarket Subdivision, immediately to the south of Highway 401, approximately 720 metres east of Keele Street and approximately 1200 metres west of Dufferin Street, as set out in heavy lines in Diagram #3 submitted by Councillor Milczyn, may contain a single sign as follows:

1.         One third party ground sign containing two sign faces, facing easterly and westerly, each displaying electronic static copy, provided:

a.         Each of the two sign faces shall provide that a minimum of five percent of the daily sign copy displayed shall be non-commercial messaging;

b.         The sign shall not contain a sign face with a horizontal measurement which exceeds 14.63 metres;

c.         The sign shall not contain a sign face with a vertical measurement which exceeds 4.27 metres;

d.         The sign face area shall not exceed 63 square metres;

e.         The sign contains two sign faces;

f.          The two sign faces shall be separated by an interior angle not greater than 45 degrees;

g.         The height of the sign shall not exceed 20.0 metres;

h.         The sign shall not be erected within 2.0 metres of the property line;

i.          The sign shall not be erected within 6.0 metres of the intersection of two street lines;

j.          The sign shall not be erected within 30.0 metres of any premises located, in whole or in part, in an R, RA, or OS sign district;

k.         The sign shall not be erected until the following third party ground signs are removed and all associated permits revoked: the signs located within the Newmarket Subdivision near: Highway 401 and Keele Street, Wilson Avenue and Murray Road, Lawrence Avenue West and Caledonia Road, Castlefield Avenue and Caledonia Road, Rogers Road and Caledonia Road, St. Clair Avenue West and Caledonia Road, Davenport Road and Caledonia Park Road, Bloor Street West and St. Helens Avenue, Finch Avenue West and Chesswood Drive, and Wilson Avenue and Murray Road;

l.          The sign shall replace all third party signs currently erected or displayed on the portion of the premises set out in heavy lines in Diagram #3 submitted by Councillor Milczyn;

m.        The sign shall be appropriately located and oriented substantially in accordance with the location, position and placement described in Diagram #3 submitted by Councillor Milczyn; and

n.         The sign shall otherwise comply in all respects with the provisions of this chapter.

4.         City Council amend Chapter 694, Signs, General, to permit the sign, and impose area restrictions on the display of third party signs as set out as Application #4 in the June 3, 2014 staff report from the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, as follows:

a.         by amending § 694-24A to add the following as site-specific area restrictions on the display or erection of a third party sign:

i.          The portions of the Bala Subdivision located within 100 metres of the each of the following locations therein where a third party ground sign is currently erected or displayed: near Sheppard Avenue East and west of Leslie Street, near Leslie Street and south of Highway 401, and near Warden Avenue and south of Danforth Avenue; and

ii.         The portions of the Kingston Subdivision located within 100 metres of the each of the following locations therein where a third party ground sign is currently erected or displayed: near Birchmount Road and south of Raleigh Avenue, and near Brimley Road and north of Skagway Avenue.

b.         by amending Schedule B, Signage Master Plans and Area Specific Amendments, to Chapter 694 by adding an Area Specific Amendment substantially in accordance with the following:

"Uxbridge" Subdivision - Notwithstanding § 694-22A and D, § 694-24A and § 694-25C, the portion of the rail corridor commonly known as the "Uxbridge" Subdivision, immediately to the south of Highway 401, approximately 400 metres east of Kennedy Road and approximately 400 metres west of Midland Avenue, as set out in heavy lines in Diagram #4 submitted by Councillor Milczyn, may contain a single sign as follows:

1.         One third party ground sign containing two sign faces, facing easterly and westerly, each displaying electronic static copy, provided:

a.         Each of the two sign faces shall provide that a minimum of five percent of the daily sign copy displayed shall be non-commercial messaging;

b.         The sign shall not contain a sign face with a horizontal measurement which exceeds 14.63 metres;

c.         The sign shall not contain a sign face with a vertical measurement which exceeds 4.27 metres;

d.         The sign face area shall not exceed 63 square metres;

e.         The sign contains two sign faces;

f.          The two sign faces shall be separated by an interior angle not greater than 45 degrees;

g.         The height of the sign shall not exceed 20.0 metres;

h.         The sign shall not be erected within 2.0 metres of the property line;

i.          The sign shall not be erected within 6.0 metres of the intersection of two street lines;

j.          The sign shall not be erected within 30.0 metres of any premises located, in whole or in part, in an R, RA, or OS sign district;

k.         The sign shall not be erected until the following third party ground signs are removed and all associated permits revoked: the signs located within the Bala Subdivision near: Sheppard Avenue and Leslie Street; Leslie Street and Highway 401; and Warden Avenue and Danforth Avenue; and, within the Kingston Subdivision near: Birchmount Road and Raleigh Avenue; and Brimley Road and Skagway Avenue;

l.          The sign shall replace all third party signs currently erected or displayed on the portion of the premises set out in heavy lines in Diagram #4 submitted by Councillor Milczyn;

m.        The sign shall be appropriately located and oriented substantially in accordance with the location, position and placement described in the diagram submitted by Councillor Milczyn; and

n.         The sign shall otherwise comply in all respects with the provisions of this chapter.

This report responds to a direction from the Planning and Growth Management Committee asking staff to report to their June 19, 2014 meeting on four area-specific amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 694, Signs, General, ("Chapter 694") on behalf of Allvision Canada (the "Applicant") and Metrolinx, concerning specific portions of railway corridors owned and managed by Metrolinx.

The Applicant seeks to amend Chapter 694 to permit four ground signs displaying electronic static third party copy.  Each sign is proposed to have a height of 19.8 metres.  Three of the signs are proposed to have two sign faces with a sign face area of approximately 130 square metres each, and one sign is proposed to have two sign faces with a sign face area of approximately 76.5 square metres on each side.  Each of the proposed third party signs is to be located immediately adjacent to either Highway 401 or Highway 427. The applicant also proposes to remove 38 existing signs and introduce new area-specific restrictions to Metrolinx rail corridors that would prevent new third party signs from being constructed at the locations of the signs being removed.

This report recommends refusal of the request as each of the four proposed third party ground signs are approximately four to six times larger than and twice as tall as permitted in Chapter 694 and are not permitted, by way of area specific restrictions in Chapter 694, as well as the requirements of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act and the Ministry of Transportation's (MTO) 'Corridor Signing Policy'.